Overview
- Gunther beat Royce Keys in the SmackDown main event on Friday in Columbia, South Carolina to become the No. 1 contender for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy on May 31.
- The match was ordered after a contract segment where Gunther refused to sign for the title bout and Keys tried to, prompting General Manager Nick Aldis to make a winner‑takes‑the‑shot decider.
- Solo Sikoa slid a steel chair into the ring after a referee bump and the distraction opened the door for Gunther to finish Keys with a lariat and powerbomb.
- Cody Rhodes struck moments after the bell, dropping Gunther with Cross Rhodes to close the show and set the tone for their first title meeting in Turin.
- Jade Cargill’s recent return with Michin and B‑Fab and their attack on Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair has scrambled the women’s title picture as SmackDown heads toward Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 23 and the May 31 PLE.